Michael V. Radtke, Jr. | MA/MSc in International and World History

Michael Radtke has a bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of Michigan and graduate degrees from Columbia University and the Loncon School of Economics.

Before taking public office, Michael worked as a community organizer, public relations consultant, and political activist. 

Michael is a current city council member for Sterling Heights. He is serving his third term.

Believes encouraging young families to move to Sterling Heights is crucial for expanding the tax base and supporting city services.

Opposes raising the City Manager’s pay by nearly $38,000 a year.

- Believes encouraging young families to move to Sterling Heights is crucial for expanding the tax base and supporting city services.
- Opposes raising the City Manager’s pay by nearly $38,000 a year.

Economy

As a city council member, fought to hire 4 more code enforcement officers to address blight.

As a city council member, encouraged hiring 4 more code enforcement officers to address decayed properties.

- As a city council member, encouraged hiring 4 more code enforcement officers to address decayed properties.
- Wants to restrict the use of fireworks.

Housing & Urban Development

Promises to advocate strongly for increased police and fire protection.

As a city council member, voted to hire 10 more firefighters to staff the expanded city ambulance fleet.

Advocated for the Safe Streets millage and voted to hire more firefighters, police officers, and social work case managers.

Advocated for the Safe Streets tax and voted to hire more firefighters, police officers, and social work case managers.

Advocates for increasing the number of police officers in Sterling Heights.

- Promises to advocate strongly for increased police and fire protection.
- As a city council member, voted to hire 10 more firefighters to staff the expanded city ambulance fleet.
- Advocated for the Safe Streets tax and voted to hire more firefighters, police officers, and social work case managers.
- Advocates for increasing the number of police officers in Sterling Heights.

Public Safety

Supports using firefighters as vaccine administrators.

- Supports using firefighters as vaccine administrators.

Healthcare

Advocated for a southern recreation center for youth.

As a city council member, sponsored a budget amendment allowing absentee ballots to be returned postage-free.

Supports creating more trails and linking local parks to the Iron-Belle Trail.

Advocated for additional non-motorized paths and parks in the community.

Advocated for additional pedestrian paths and parks in the community.

Supports the development of trails and parks.

As a city council member, helped transform vacant walls and unused areas into public spaces.

Supports public art, saying it "speaks to the city’s aspirations" and "brightens up residents’ days."

Supports access to public services without discrimination.

Supports the creation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

- Advocated for a southern recreation center for youth.
- As a city council member, sponsored a budget amendment allowing absentee ballots to be returned postage-free.
- Supports creating more trails and linking local parks to the Iron-Belle Trail.
- Advocated for additional pedestrian paths and parks in the community.
- Supports the development of trails and parks.
- As a city council member, helped transform vacant walls and unused areas into public spaces.
- Supports public art, saying it "speaks to the city’s aspirations" and "brightens up residents’ days."
- Supports the LGBTQ+ community.
- Supports access to public services without discrimination.
- Supports the creation of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Public Services

Advocated for an urban tree reforestation initiative.

- Advocated for an urban tree reforestation initiative.

Energy & the Environment

Plans to make the city an attractive and safe place to live, work, and play for all residents.

Advocates for expanding and improving the sidewalk replacement plan.

Supports expanding the sidewalk program to neighborhoods without sidewalks, especially near schools, to enhance safety and walkability.

Supports expanding the sidewalk program to neighborhoods without sidewalks, especially near schools, to improve safety and walkability.

- Plans to make the city an attractive and safe place to live, work, and play for all residents.
- Advocates for expanding and improving the sidewalk replacement plan.
- Supports expanding the sidewalk program to neighborhoods without sidewalks, especially near schools, to improve safety and walkability.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Michael V. Radtke Jr.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.